Bible: Ezekiel 4:1-13

Ominous Object Lessons

4:1 “And you, sonof man, takea brick1and set itin frontof you. Inscribe2a cityon it – Jerusalem.4:2Laysiegeto it! Buildsiege works againstit. Erecta siegeramp3against it! Post soldiers outside it4and station batteringrams aroundit.4:3Thenfor yourpart takean ironfryingpan5 and setit up as an ironwallbetweenyou and the city. Setyour facetowardit. It is tobeunder siege; you are to besiegeit. This is a sign6for the houseof Israel.

4:4 “Also for yourpart lieonyour leftsideand placetheiniquity7of the houseof Israelonit. For the numberof daysyoulieonyour side you will beartheir iniquity.4:5Ihave determinedthat the number of the yearsof their iniquityare to be the numberof days8 for you – 390 days.9 So bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.10

4:6 “When you have completedthesedays, then liedown a secondtime, but on your rightside, and bearthe iniquityof the houseof Judah40days11 – I have assigned one dayfor eachyear.4:7You must turn your face towardthe siegeof Jerusalemwith your armbaredand prophesyagainstit.4:8Lookhere, I willtie you up with ropes, so you cannotturnfrom one sidetothe otheruntilyou completethe daysof your siege.12

4:9 “As for you, takewheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt,13putthem ina singlecontainer, and makefood14from them for yourself. For the same numberof daysthatyoulieonyour side– 390days15 – you will eatit.4:10The foodyou eatwill be eight ounces16a dayby weight; you must eatit at fixed17 times.4:11And you must drinkwaterby measure, a pint and a half;18you must drinkit at fixed times.4:12And you must eatthe food like you would a barleycake. You must bakeit in front of themover a fire made with dried humanexcrement.”194:13And the Lordsaid, “Thisis how the people of Israelwill eattheir uncleanfoodamong the nations20whereI will banishthem.”